Induction Coils

[MaverickIce00-at-aol-dot-com (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

Hello list,

I've been trying to think of something to do (high voltage, of course) that 
doesn't completly empty my savings, and I came up with the idea of a small 
induction coil. Not many parts, most of them are pretty cheap, pretty simple 
and easy to make (i'm guessing...) but i've been thinking of a few problems 
with this: first, I don't have an "excellent" idea of how one is put together 
(I just saw a picture of one at PV Scientific Instruments site) but I think I 
know the basics, second, I'm wondering if the thickness of the coil form's' 
would affect the electromagnetic field (i'm planning on using two six-volt 
lantern batteries wired in parallel, which probably wouldn't create much of a 
field in the first place) and I don't know if the primary is wound around the 
outside of the secondary, or vice-versa. I'll try to find a book or something 
at the library ('try' being the operative word, my library doesn't have much 
of a selection). One more thing i'm wondering about would be the proper 
inductance. I usually use programs to do most of my work (lazy?) and I don't 
really know the best factor for coupling. Any help? I'll post how it is 
coming along as I acquire materials. (I hope I haven't left anything 
important out...)

So long,
Joshua